Around the Traps - A Mixed Bag of Goodness

Three weeks to go people before our retreat! ....and one lovely surprise that I haven't yet shared is that the lovely Alichia from Hearth Collective is coming along to do a short "extra" Saturday afternoon workshop about spoon carving. I'm so excited about this one - I love carved spoons! If you haven't seen her beautiful work then please pop over to her site to have a look. 

Next up - because I know that many of you reading can't actually attend the retreat, I've come up with a (genius) plan to spread a little of the retreat joy while it's on! I'm going to have an ace giveaway that will involve a pack of goodies from some of our lovely and super generous supporters (who you can see listed in the sidebar over there ---------> ) so keep your ears open. I'll announce how to enter on this here blog, instagram, Facebook and even Twitter so you will hear about it but I think I'll do it over the weekend of the retreat. It seems fitting.

This last few weeks is such a fun time of year for me as this is when we get to put the final touches on the event. The bits that make it really special. And the boxes have started arriving with lovely things for your retreat gift. I'm can't wait to share them with you on the weekend.... not long now! 

Another lovely thing appearing on the interweb this week is that Karen's gorgeous new project bag is for sale. I missed out on snavelling one of them from Fringe so popped on over to Purl as fast as my little fingers could click. You all know I am mainly and usually about less stuff (she says while talking about gifts and giveaways) but I'm also for the special and well-thoughtout, ethical and clever. These bags are that - they are so beautiful and practical and did I mention beautiful. I haven't decided whether this spend it needs to be included in my Stash Less tally. Your thoughts? It's not technically stash. It's a bag. Do I get off on a technicality?

And talking about Stash Less - I've got a couple of posts coming up for you. I had a little break. Not from Stashing Less but from writing about it. Not sure why - I think I was just forming some more thoughts. Anyway, thoughts are formed and I even did a bit of research about them. And then Elizabeth's question at the end of the (amazing) comments on the Craft In The Middle Of Motherhood has sparked another post - I'm pretty sure I have an answer for her. 

Felicia x

Around the traps - Simple Sewing 101

Alrighty then Simple Sewers. I haven't had enough wifi or computer time to do the next alterations post but I did want to show you some pretty pictures from a few weeks ago that I took of my friend Christine wearing a couple of her Simple Sewing 101 - Tops. In the photo above she is wearing her Alice Top which is Step 4 in the post and then in the photo below she is wearing a gorgeous version of the Califaye Basics Tank which is an alternative to the Wiksten Tank which was Step 2. You can get all the details (and loads more gorgeous photos) from the post on her blog about them. 

What is winding me up as I'm writing this is that I really want to try the Cali Faye Tank - and rather than buying the pattern, piecing it together, cutting it out and then trying it on, I could have just tried Christine's on..... rid-ic-ulous that I'm only realising this now. We had the whole weekend together!

Other Simple Sewing 101 superstars you should check out are my lovely friend Karen on Instagram who has been sewing up a storm - a few weeks ago she made the Cali Faye Tank as well as some gorgeous Nani Iro and Linen numbers I know you lot will love.

And while you are wandering the halls of instagram you could also have a look at the other tops with the instagram hastag #simplesewing101. There are so many alterations popping up like this gorgeous number! Or this. Or this.

Hopefully they have inspired you to whip out your scissors and get sewing? 

Felicia x

Around the Traps - Me Made May

Me Made May starts today my friends and for the first time I am going to join in.

A little blurb from So Zo,.....what do you know?'s blog goes as follows;

“Me-Made-May’15 is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to actually wear and love them. The me-made and self-stitched challenges have been taking place for five years now and they work on both a personal and community level. The participants decide the specifics of their own challenge pledge, so that the month is appropriate and challenging for them (more on this below). For example, a very common pledge is for a participant to aim to wear one self-stitched or refashioned garment each day for the duration of May 2015. The participants can also choose to document their challenge with daily photos (though this is in no way compulsory for taking part) and share them with other participants (more on this below). ”

There are a lot more details on Zoe's website so go have a read - lots to think about!

My sewing and knitting have improved over time as has my ability to create the things that I really want to make. The thing that seems really important to me now, is not that I keep making and making and making for the sake of making, but rather that I spend time looking for the holes in my wardrobe and where I could improve it. Not by making lots of things but rather by making one or two and really loving them. There are some black holes in my wardrobe - where I need to make things but I haven't. And also some areas where I have made too many things and I don't wear them all. I stick to my favourites, y'know?

I wear homemade nearly every day but I kindof overlook the fact that the things that I truly love are things I've made myself. I still go out seeking the special in shops when I need a little pickmeup and sometimes I think I see my handmade as not quite as special. I'm actually shocking myself as I'm typing these words.... but I think it is true and that is what I think. How totally crazy is that! Eek!! 

My MMM pledge

I'm joining MMM as a consciousness raising exercise for myself. I will wear handmade everyday in May and will keep a visual record of what I wear (I may not get to post them everyday ;)). Thereby enabling me to better understand what I have, what I love and what I need. 

Are you planning on joining me this month? 

Felicia x

PS. For social media the hastag is #memademay.

PPS. I know that you definitely don't need to make anything for MMM, however Jenn just finally released the Morris Blazer for her Grainline label. I've been waiting for this for many years so I may just slip one in over the next few weeks. My only issue is that there is nothing in stash and Stash Less is still going strong. I'll give you an update next week hopefully.....

Around the traps - Get involved!

Creativity Club

I love Meg. I've loved her for a long time. Waaay back, when I used to read blogs and my sewing was just starting to ramp up again after the sewing dessert that was my 20s, she was the most inspirational blogger about. She just got in there and made stuff, and she tells it how it is (and she is a fellow swearer - makes me love her even more). She was the creator of the amazing Kids Clothes Week and while she doesn't blog with such regularity anymore, she comes up with the goods when she does. 

So she has created this thing called The Creativity Club. The second challenge was posted a week or so ago and I love the whole thought process it takes you through. Go through and catch up with the results of her first challenge for the year - I loved it.  

Meet Me At Mikes - The Mirabel bun-anza

So I meant to highlight this last week as the deadline is a little tight. Pip is running a Bun-anza asking for softie rabbits to be made for the kids that Mirabel support. I've taken part in Softies for Mirabel before and it is super fun. For the first time Pip is asking for rabbits for the kids for easter. It is a bit of a tight deadline as the softies need to be made by March 15th but you have time. A rabbit doesn't take long to make does it!

All the details can be found on Pip's website Meet Me At Mikes including ideas about rabbits. 

A softie I made for Mirabel many years ago. She was made from cord and super soft. Your softie doesn't need to be perfect - just cuddly.

Wardrobe Architect rides again. 

I talked about Wardrobe Architect last year, created by Sarai of Colette Patterns and I love it. If you want to get clearer in your making and make a wardrobe you truly love then it is a great (free) program to go through. This year there is a monthly challenge run by Kristen and it's not too late to catch up. It is so worth doing if making handmade clothes is something you value.

Enjoy!

Felicia x

Around the Traps - Kid's patterns

 

Stash Less in action today my friends. Rather than purchasing patterns that I don't have time to use, I am listing them here, so I can go back to them when I do. 

New stuff I've found or have been meaning to try. 

Just last week I saw this adorable pattern for the first time - the Mini Hudson pants. I so so love the shape of it and am particularly obsessed with the mid calf version. The only issue is that none of my kids like wearing trackies. I don't know why….. wish I did. My last post features me basting the quilt while wearing trackies so it isn't like I haven't been setting an example.

Another pattern that I have never made, but have been meaning to for the longest time, is the Flashback Skinny Tee. Brienne has some gorgeous versions of it here with some fabric paint detailing. I will get to this the next time I need to make some for my boy child. There are so many amazing versions of this tee on the web if you are looking for inspiration. 

Oliver and S has three patterns that I am a little obsessed with and again don't own. The playtime tunic I have mentioned before. And then recently the Bento Tee. So so cute. I'm also loving some of the roller skating dresses I'm seeing around the traps - like this one from Kristin at Skirt as a Top.  She also has made a super cute version of the Mini Hudson pants. 

I also love the Edelweiss Dress by Hey June. I haven't made it but I mean too. There are a few super pretty versions if you google images it.

If you are looking for homemade kids clothes inspiration you can't go past the online magazine Stylo. Goregeous styling, all the patterns are detailed, and it really shows what you can do if you get a little creative.

My other favourite source of inspiration is Kids Clothes Week. I participate now and then when I need a bit of a kick start. It now runs four times a year so there is always one just around the corner. It's free to sign up to their site and then you get access to all the photos and details of the pretty pretty things people are making. It is a sure fire way to find new patterns and get inspired. There are SO. many. gorgeous. patterns in their database. Patterns I hadn't come across before. Having a look at the old photo pool though (if you aren't a signer-uperer) is also an option.

Things that I have talked about before on the blog
 

My favourite sewing book for kids - Happy Handmade

Also in the past I've talked about baby sweaters, my favourite girl cardy's and my favourite girls dress pattern. I've also done a post on the super gorgeous City Gym Shorts which has to be THE best shorts pattern ever, and the beautifully shaped Banyan Tee. 

And finally a totally random post from Brienne about why she sews and knits with a quote I just love. 

I'll be back on Friday with my all-time favourite sewing trick! Until then I'd love to hear your favourite kid patterns?

Felicia x